First Look Institute supports fearless investigative journalism, innovative and cinematic nonfiction filmmaking, and press freedom initiatives to protect the right to a free and open society and press.

With the generous financial support of First Look Institute, the award-winning, investigative news outlet The Intercept, and critically-acclaimed documentary film unit Field of Vision, spun-off into their own independent organizations. In addition, the Press Freedom Defense Fund has transitioned into a new press freedom program at the University of Maryland's Philip Merrill College of Journalism, and Lawyers for Reporters, which provides vital pro bono legal services and support to local and independent journalists and organizations, is now an expanded initiative at the Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice.